Basketball points

[Turbine]

Yea, we are splitting hairs. But to be fair to the OP, he did not quantify how much the trip contributed. Only that it helped with chemistry.

I'm on board with your logic.

[JayWalker]

I'm not buying the trip for one second.

He finds the money every four years when he knows he has a 20 win team, but can't find a dime to bring a quality team into the dome every four years.

This team got better and better as the season progressed and I think Marlin did a great job of coaching. But I don't think Puerto Rico had anything to do with winning the Sunbelt tournament.

Then you're not accepting reality.

Three trips overseas. Three championships. That isn't a coincidence. All three of those trips helped with bonding and chemistry. The players themselves said as much in interviews last night.

Do the trips mean some kind of magic happens to win a tournament? Of course not. But to say it has nothing to do with it is simply wrong.

Now, if you want to say we should do it without those trips, that's your opinion and you're entitled to it.

So, now I'll ask you this question. And, anyone else can chime in.

For the cost of the Puerto Rico trip, what quality of opponent (assuming we had raised that money each year) do you think we could bring to the Dome?

Whatever your answer is, it won't do nearly as much as those trips did. And, you'll probably be wrong about the quality of opponent.

[Turbine]

I see "Three trips overseas. Three championships" as part of Marlin's recruiting cycle, with him pulling all the rabbits out the hat during peak recruiting cycle.

I know it can't be done every year so he has to pace his opportunities, and he has done it to perfection.

As far as players saying as much, no disrespect but players are verbal parrots of coach speak.

[HelmutVII]

What are the NCAA rules about practice between conference tournament and NCAA tournament. A week and a half sounds like a long time to not play a game.

[CajunNation]

Jay, does USM have a shot at an at-large?

46 RPI, 2 Quadrant 1 wins....

[JayWalker]

I see "Three trips overseas. Three championships" as part of Marlin's recruiting cycle, with him pulling all the rabbits out the hat during peak recruiting cycle.

I know it can't be done every year so he has to pace his opportunities, and he has done it to perfection.

As far as players saying as much, no disrespect but players are verbal parrots of coach speak.

Well, I traveled more with this team than any team in the past. You can stop with the "verbal parrots of coach speak." I SAW the results on the buses after games and during trips. I HEARD the unselfishness of the players as they stood up in the bus to extol the performances of their teammates.

So you can stop right there.

[cajuns80]

Jay, does USM have a shot at an at-large?

46 RPI, 2 Quadrant 1 wins....

Zero chance

[JayWalker]

Jay, does USM have a shot at an at-large?

46 RPI, 2 Quadrant 1 wins....

No. RPI is no longer used. NET rankings are and they are 87. Marshall has the best NET rating at 83. Cajuns are 89.

I'll go a step farther. I truly believe had we lost last night our season would be over with 25 wins.

When the NET was explained, I said it would be tougher than ever to get an at large as a mid major.

Time so far has proven me correct.

[R1Letterman]

are teams allowed to take a trip such as the puerto rico trip every year?

[JayWalker]

are teams allowed to take a trip such as the puerto rico trip every year?

Every four years.

[R1Letterman]

Every four years.

interesting, thanks.

[CajunNation]

No. RPI is no longer used. NET rankings are and they are 87. Marshall has the best NET rating at 83. Cajuns are 89.

I'll go a step farther. I truly believe had we lost last night our season would be over with 25 wins.

When the NET was explained, I said it would be tougher than ever to get an at large as a mid major.

Time so far has proven me correct.

Wow.

So, how do you get your Net ranking up?